As the MLB playoffs continue, it's obvious that analytics play a huge role in today’s roster management. Admittedly, as a traditionally trained “gut feel” and a “get to know the makeup” type of scout, hard-core analytics were not my jam coming up through the scouting ranks. However, I do respect the usefulness they have in today’s game, as well as the role they play in the amateur draft (as they should).

Projecting long-term offensive impact requires identifying hitters who possess two main ingredients: top-tier exit velocities and low swing-and-miss. In this analysis, players are evaluated primarily on their 90th-percentile Exit Velocity (EV90) — a reliable indicator for repeatable raw power — blended with in-zone contact rates (Z-Contact%), overall whiff rates and chase discipline.

To further clarify, these ratings do NOT include an evaluation of a prospect’s makeup, work ethic, injury history or any other consideration other than the batted ball data that each produced during the 2026 spring season.

Just as Caden Ferraro (Texas Tech) and Carter Beck (Indiana State) were prized analytics darlings for the 2026 MLB Draft, there will be several more highly desired for 2027. Ferraro boasted arguably the premier data set in the entire 2026 college draft class. A 110.0 mph EV90 combined with a 92.5% Z-Contact rate placed him in an elite class of hitters who didn't sacrifice contact for juice. With a 114.7 mph max EV and an 18.2% barrel rate, Ferraro routinely squared up pitches in all quadrants. Beck was a mid-major sleeper who paired high-end impact (108.3 mph EV90, 114.8 max EV) with bat control, running a 13.5% whiff rate and 20.1% chase rate. When Beck swung, he did damage on line drives and fly balls (32.0% FB, 26.7% LD), avoiding excessive ground balls. It’s an offensive package that projects upwards.

Just for fun, how did these hitters fare in their initial pro season? St. Louis third-rounder Ferraro slashed .216/.306/.405 in High-A and Atlanta first-rounder Beck hit .283/.400/.389 combined between Low and High-A. However, don’t read too much into those numbers as one keeps in mind that current big-leaguer and 2024 No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana slashed .238/.369/.396 during his first short-season.

Now onto the 2027 class, where Jimmy Janicki (Troy), Landon Hairston (Arizona State), Trent Grindlinger (Tennessee) and Hogan Denny (Indiana) lead the data-driven class at this point in the process.

Janicki was a standout at the 2024 Super 60 and he now possesses the highest raw ceiling of anyone in the 2027 college class with a 110.8 EV90 and a 118.3 Max EV. Both represent legitimate 70-grade power on the pro scale. While his 31.4% chase rate leaves room for plate-discipline refinement, he maintains an 88.6% zone-contact rate and compiled 27 barrels across 235 batted balls. His offensive upside is immense and when combined with his position where he’s shown plus arm strength (83-85 mph) and consistent POP times in the 1.9s (or better), there’s a legitimate case for him becoming a top three overall pick.

Sun Devils’ star outfielder Hairston combines elite in-game impact with bat-to-ball consistency. Over 191 batted-balls in 2026 he generated 32 barrels (16.8% barrel rate) and a 56.0% hard-hit rate. Retaining a 90.4% Z-Contact rate while doing that level of damage produces an extraordinary .541 xwOBA and .383 xBA, establishing him as a premier middle-of-the-order run producer. His first half of the season numbers from 2026 were even more impressive, bordering on outrageous.

Catcher/first baseman Grindlinger also brings a heavy impact to the plate, evidenced by a 59.5% hard-hit rate and a 108.4 mph EV90. He complements his power with steady bat control, staying above 90% in zone contact. His swing produces hard gap-to-gap (28.8% LD) contact, giving him a strong power profile at a premium position if he can remain in place.

The trend of catchers who analytically project well continues with Denny. The Hoosiers’ star hitter combines premium impact (108.3 mph EV90, 114.8 max) with pure barrel feel, evidenced by his 40.1% sweet-spot rate. He does not swing and miss inside the zone (90.8% Z-Contact), and his line-drive-oriented approach (28.4% LD) allows his exit velocities to translate into extra-base hits. Denny also shows plus arm strength and sub-2.0 POP times behind the plate, but does need polish receiving.

Another draft-eligible sophomore that is already on everyone’s draft watch is Stanford’s Teddy Tokheim. The first baseman lacks ideal exit velocities for his position with a 106.4 EV90 and 109.3 max, but excelled at making contact on pitches in the strike zone (92.9% Z-Contact) during his freshman season on the Farm.

Also on the watch in the third-year junior ranks are likely first-rounder Chase Fralick (Auburn), as well as James Love (Eastern Illinois), Ty Mainolfi (Boston College), Ryan Tyranski (Cincinnati) and CJ Griggs (Hofstra).

Notable fourth-years include Hudson Brown (Kentucky), Cider Canon (Duke), Gavin Gallaher (North Carolina), Luke Gaffney (Clemson), Ethan Mendoza (Texas) and Andrew Ildefonso (Grand Canyon).